Urban Outfitters Associate Buyer

Urban Outfitters•Philadelphia, PA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Urban Outfitters is looking for an Associate Buyer to deliver the sales and profit plan for a class through the precise execution of a well-conceived merchandise strategy. This role involves leading product development of online exclusive products and editing appropriate private label and branded selections.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree in Fashion, Business, or a related field
3 to 4 years in retail or direct buying office having served as an Associate Buyer or Senior Level Assistant buyer

Responsibilities

Demonstrate an understanding of the UO target customer and the ability to select the appropriate product/trend that will appeal to the customer and meet their expectations.
Recognize new fashion trends and work with design to translate appropriate new ideas from blogs, street, and aspirational sources.
Manage an Open-To-Buy (OTB) and exhibit retail math skills to achieve bottom line performance.
Exhibit a professional communication style (both verbal and written) through strong presentation skills, excellent organizational skills, and a high sense of urgency.
Prioritize tasks to balance the immediate and long-term needs of the business.
Utilize Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook) and quickly learn and retain information from new computer systems.
Analyze weekly and monthly sales, stock, and on-order with the goal of optimizing sales and minimizing markdowns.
Recognize and react quickly to all trends, both major and minor, in the business, whether product-related or store-related.
Work with the Buyer and Planner on revising plans to ensure that sales and margin are optimized by class.
Ensure that buying direction is on target based on partnering with Buyer and comprehensive analysis of the business (e.g., last year results, current trends, attribute selling).
Manage the financial elements of the business (e.g., OTB, IMU, MD’s) for assigned classes.
Ensure that the receipt plan is tightly managed and that orders are placed on a timely basis (neither too late or too soon) and that receipts flow correctly throughout the month.
Manage styleouts to ensure each item is a winner and the assortment is properly balanced and invested by ensuring an appropriate balance of looks, silhouettes, fabrics, patterns, color, price points, and correct inventory position with key items and fringe and/or new items.
Assist in selecting new products for the e-commerce division from retail’s assortment and suggest category extensions / web exclusives to further growth.
Work with designers, Market, and Design to manage the timeline on all product development.
Attend all fittings to ensure that sizing is standardized throughout the assortment.
Develop effective and beneficial relationships with key vendors.
Manage vendor performance through effective negotiation and communication to maximize profitability, achieve financial objectives, and ensure optimal supply chain operations.
Ensure that all communication (listening and directing) is conducted appropriately with the stores.
Develop collaborative relationships with internal colleagues including: production, planning, creative, catalog, DC, and retail teams.
Gain understanding of all roles and responsibilities within the organization and be flexible and cooperative in working with teams to achieve a common goal.